BRITISH PHARMACEUTICAL CONFERENCE, EXETER. 419 



they did not well know that he was a master, or learned person, 1869. 

 or expert in the science of medicine and well known, the which 

 they should judge in their conscience sufficient, and that it was 

 by express command of a physician who had sent for such 

 medicines and as above is said . . . 



The necessity of subjecting a buyer to something like a Ancient legal 

 theological examination may seem nowadays rather unpractical, enactments - 

 but not impossible, if intended, as I think it was, to be enforced 

 against Jews who in the middle ages were distinguished by their 

 dress, and were, as is well known, the objects of every kind of 

 persecution and opprobrious distinction. The same law contains 

 other curious provisions, some of which descend to minute 

 particulars, as the following : 



" . ... and also that the medicinal electuaries, or opiates, 

 or other medicines liable to be long kept, made and put into pots 

 or other suitable vessels, shall be labelled with the year and 

 month when confected, and that they shall sell the same at a 

 loyal, just and moderate price and with just regard to variation 

 in the currency and also that whenever re- 

 quired they shall weigh all their medicines and not deliver 

 them by guess." 



In the previous reign, that of Philippe de Valois, an injunc- The apothe- 

 tion concerning the apothecaries of Paris was addressed by the canes of Pans> 

 king to the provost of the city, requiring that he should compel 

 the apothecaries to show their medicines to the Masters of the 

 Faculty of Medicine, that the latter might judge of their purity 

 and good condition. 1 



1 These laws are thus quoted in the Eecueil General des Anciennes Lois 

 Francises par Decrusy, Isambert et Jourdan, tome iv. pp. 679-681 and 

 p. 424. 



" Ordonnance sur 1'exercise de la profession d'apothicaire et d'herbier, et 

 qui les soumet a la visite." Paris, aout, 1353. 



" Jehan, par la grace de Dieu, roy de France, sc,avoir faisons a tous presens 

 et avenir." 



" . . . . et qu'il ne vendront, ne bailleront aucune medecine venimeuse 

 perilleuse, ou qui puissent faire abortix, simples ou compose'es a nulles gens, 

 qui soient hors de la foy chrestienne, ni a aucunes gens avoir se il ne con- 

 noissent bien, que il soit maistre ou sciencier, ou expert en la science de mede- 

 cine, et bien cognu, lequel il cuideront en leur conscience souffisant, que ce 

 soit par expres commandement de physicien. qui les cut envoye* querir, et se 

 comme dessus est dit 



EE 2 



